The Contribution of Agronomic Management to Sustainably Intensify Egypt’s Wheat Production

In Egypt, recent shortfalls in the wheat supply from Russia and Ukraine have necessitated substantial increases domestic production. As agricultural practices influence yield of bread wheat, we assessed current production strategies wheat-based systems Egypt investigated their effects on productivity four study areas Nile Delta. We used a multi-stage random sampling technique to select 246 wheat-producing farmers applied structured questionnaires assess farming crop performance attributes. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, analysis variances, multiple regression models. Wheat average 56 years old with about 30 experience. Land holdings rather small, an 1.05 hectares mean 6.4 metric tons (t)/hectare (ha). Farmers devote <20% cropland area wheat. Of large observed variation (4.2–8.5 t/ha), 59% was explained differences cropping model. The application mineral fertilizers mostly inappropriate unbalanced, overuse nitrogen phosphorus, complete absence potassium micronutrient fertilizers, insufficient rates organic amendments. type preceding summer irrigation frequency found be most influencing factors, explaining 7.5% 38% yields. majority low yields irrigated crops twice per season, while only 7% high-yielding recommended >5 times season. Most had poor knowledge modern agronomic inadequate access information. To enhance there is need for fiscal incentives, permitting or stimulating larger shares cultivation. addition, policies must enable producers improve implementing adequate sustainable such as rotations, balanced nutrient supply, use However, important factors are interventions technologies that provision increase efficiency water.